Splicing device for magnetic tape



Feb. 9, 1954 N c g s 2,668,576

SPLICING DEVICE FOR MAGNETIC TAPE Filed June 4, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet l 1s 15 5 55 INVENTOR.

RALPH M. Alla/101,6 Fly 2 By I Feb. 1954 R. M. NICHOLS SPLICING DEVICE FOR MAGNETIC TAPE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 4, 1952 INVENTOR.

RALPH M. NICHOLS Feb. 9, 1954 NICHOLS 2,668,576

SPLICING DEVICE FOR MAGNETIC TAPE Filed June 4, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 a W l t V :12 4% iii L ii a ri fi i i m. i- I IN V EN TOR.

R44 P M. NICHOLS Fz' 9'.7 I798 A TI'OR/YEKS Feb. 9, 1954 R. M. NICHOLS SPLICING DEVICE FOR MAGNETIC TAPE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 4, 1952 INVENTOR.

ffmrza r amaa Sim,

ATTOIPIXEIJ Patented Feb. 9, 1954 SPLICING DEVICE FOR MAGNETIC TAPE Ralph M. Nichols, Grecnville, S. 0., assignor to Bob Jones University, a. corporation of Ten- Application June 4, 1952, Serial No. 291,663

7 Claims. (01. 154-423) This invention relates generally to splicing devices, and more particularly to an improved form of the type of splicing device for splicing magnetic tape disclosed in copending application Serial No. 208,294, filed January 29, 1951.

Splicing devices of this sort are adapted, as described in the above noted copending application, for editing magnetic tape on which sound is commonly recorded in the production of motion pictures, and on which it has recently also been found possible to record the picture too. In th'ecourse of editing such tape recordings, the process is of course greatly facilitated by making the actual operation of forming the splice easy and convenient once the point for a required splice has been determined, but it is also highly important that the splice be made perfectly and in a way that avoids interruption or marring of the recording carried by the tape.

In the above noted copending application, the splicing device disclosed is arranged uniquely to form a diagonal splice in the tape so that the splice does not noticeably affect the recording. By the present invention a similar diagonal splicing arrangement is embodied in an improved means by which the splice can be made with consistent perfectness and with substantially greater facility and convenience. This improved splicing device of the present invention is described in further detail below in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation, partly in section, of a splicing device embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view corresponding to Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a left side elevation corresponding to Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a further plan view shown with the upper portion of the first and second plunger means removed at the line 4-4 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section of the first plunger means taken substantially on the line 5-5 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section of the second plunger means taken substantially on the line 6-6 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail of the bottom face of the first plunger means as seen from the line 1-1 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detail of the bottom face of the second plunger means as seen from the line 8-8 in Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a further front elevation partly in section as indicated by the line 9-9 in Figs. 5 andv 6;

Fig. 10 is a transverse sectional detail of the second plunger means taken substantially on the line Ill-I0 in Fig. 9; and

splicing device of the present invention.

With reference now in detail to the drawings, and more particularly at first to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the illustrated embodiment of the splicing device of the present invention is shown as comprising a base member [0 on which a splicing block II is fixed transversely adjacent the front edge thereof. On this splicing block ll locating pins are arranged as at l2 and 13 for maintaining magnetic tape T at selected positions on the block II by engagement with the register holes R. therein; the locating-pins l2 being arranged at a first selected position for maintaining the tape T in place as it is cut, and the locating pins [3 being arranged at a second selected position for maintaining the cut tape T in place as a splice is completed by the application of splicing tape T (compare Fig. 11), all as is described in detail further below. 1

The splicing block H is also fitted with weighting arms I4 which are pivoted adjacent the ends of the block II for weighting the tape T in engagement with the locating pins [2 and I3, the top face of the splicing block ll having grooves formed therein adjacent its ends as at [5 which have a width corresponding to the width of the magnetic tape T and in which grooves l5 the tape T is pressed by the arms I4 when in weight-- ing position so that the tape T is thereby further maintained in proper position for the splicing operation. The pivoted disposition of the weighting arms H! on the splicing block H allows them to be manipulated between this weighting position noted above and a retracted position clear of the splicing block ll (compare Figs. 3 and 4) so that they may be easily displaced to avoid any interference with handling of the tape T as it i inserted and removed in the course of carrying out a splicing operation with the splicing device of the present invention.

The splicing block II is also adapted for the splicing operation by a stationary shear blade 16 fitted thereon at the first selected position defined by the locating pins I3, and by cutting die apertures [1 formed in inserts l8 which also form cutting edges l9 at the sides of the splicing block I. The stationary shear blade I6 is formed and is disposed on the splicing block H to make a generally diagonal splicing cut S in the tape T (compare Fig. 11), the splicing cut S running diagonally for a major portion of the tape width but curving to a transverse course as each tape edge is approached so as to avoid sharply pointed tape ends at the out which would be relatively dimcuit to handle in completing the splice. It should also be noted that the splicing cut S runs: between the register: holes Rm thetape T, the locating pins :2 serving-"to locate. the splicing out S at this position as it is made.

The splicing device of the present invention further comprises a first plunger means 20 mounted on the base member iii toextendabove the splicing block i l at the first selected. positiondefined by the locating pins 12,121 secondi plunger means 2 I similarly mounted at the second selected position defined by the locating pins [3, and a splicing tape dispenser 22 mountedon the base member H] in spaced relation betweenlthe firstf 21 with a diagonal disposition. for directing the;

withdrawal of splicing, tape T therefrom across the splicing block ll at the second selectediposition in generally spaced parallel alignment with the diagonal cutting disposition of the shear blades l6 and 23 at thefirst selected position (compare Fig. 4).

The second plunger means-21 is adapted for applying a length of splicing, tape T fromthe dispenser 22 to join theabutting ends of mag,

netic tape T cut atthe first selectedposition. by operation of the first plunging means- 20,-. and for this purpose the second plunger meansillis fittedl with a yieldable presser plate 26;. which is: disposed at the lower endof a plunger rod: 2 tot-come in contact first with thetop face of the splicing block I l upon depression of theplunger means 2| from an upper operating knob 28. This-lower end of the plunger rod 21 for thesecondplunger means 21- is also fitted. with cutting punches, Z9- and trimming blades 33- disposed in relation to the previously mentioned. cutting. die apertures- H: and cutting edges I .ifitted in the splicinglblock II at this second selected position, and. as. the yieldable presser plate 2-6 moves up upon-iur-ther depression-of the second plunger means ll these cutting punches 29 and the trimmingblades 30- function to reform the: register holes that have been covered by the splicing tape T adjacent each side of the splicing cut 8- as atIR and totrim the splicing tape T evenly at each side edge of the magnetic tape Tl The second plunger means 21 is-arrangedfor this operation as shown in Fig.6 by 'a-sliding. disposition in top and. bottom bearing elements; 3! and 32 of the plunger rod 21 and the operating. knob 28 which has a sleeve portion 33 fitting over the upper end of the plunger rod 2-1 and: is held in place by a screw threaded shank 34 engaging a threaded internal bore portion in the. plunger rod 2?. Betweenv the bottom bearing element 32 and the lower end face of the operating knob sleeve portion 33 a compression spring 36 is disposed over the plunger rod 27 for maintaining the plunger means 2f normally in a raised posi- 4 tion above the splicing block I I. Internally of the plunger rod 21, and beyond the upper threaded bore 35, a second bore 31 of reduced diameter continues to contain a second compression spring 38 between the bottom face of the operating knob shank 34 and the top face of a presser plate positioning; screw 39, the headoi which is. received in this second bore-31 to limit'itsidownwairdimovement, and the remainder of which extends through a third bore 43 to engage the presser plate 26 and position it yieldably for applying the splicingtap'e-T"as already noted above.

In order to-provide for adequate lubrication of'theplungermeans 2!, the upper bearing element 3T is grooved and apertured to receive a wick element 3i extending from a lubricant supply chamber 42 in the plunger means 2| so that lubricant: is fed continually to this top bearing element 31 and therefrom to the exterior surface of the operating knob sleeve portion 33, which is in turn formed with at least one downwardly directed aperture 43' through its side wall tofeed lubricant inwardly' to" the exterior surfaceof" the plunger rod 21? Where a" further downwardly" di='-- rected aperture 44" opens into'theinternalborefi for directing a lubricant supply to the: presser plate screw 39'.

Thefirst plunger'means;zd'istsimilarlyarranged as shown in Fig; 5, except that? it has only'one internallbore 35 at, theupperend of its plunger" rod 24" for receivingthetthrea'dedfshank- 43" of the operating knob 25; whicli is again formed Wlthffi? sleeve portion 41' fitting over the" top end ofthe* plunger rod and slidably mounted in' a top'bear'-- ing element 38', with a bottom bearing element 4'9 positioning; the lower" portion of the: plungerrodi 24am supporting'a compression spring 51! against the bottom endifa'c'e ofth'e operatingtkn'ob'sleeve 41 to maintain" the plunger means 20: normally in raised position. Also, the top bearing, element 48 is again grooved and apertured to receive a; wick element 51 that extends from a" lubricant" supply chamber 52' to maintain" a constant lir brication feed for theplunger'm'eanszu.

In order to maintain the" plunger rods 24' and" 2T of the respective plunger means" 20 and. 21 properly disposed to align the cutting elements carried. thereby with the related. cutting:- elevments on the. splicing block Il',, each. plunger means 20 and. 2| is further providedwith. op.- posedadjusting screws 53 as shown. best inEi'g. 10. which illustrates the arrangement for the second plunger means 21. 53-are arranged to extendpthroughthe lower bearing element (32 as seen in. Fig 10)i and bear against recessed faces 54 of the plunger rod IT as: shown in. Fig. 10.. As a. result, the. opposed. adjusting; screws 53 make it possible to rotate the- Y plunger rod. 21 slightly with respectlto the bearing element 32' and thereby; adjust nicely the" alignment. of the splicei'orming cutting elements lock nuts 55 being provided for fixing the op"-v posediscrews 53 in' a given adjustedposition.

The operation of" the: splicing. device of the. present invention for forming a splice consists in placing the tape T on the splicing, block; I withthe register holes R' thereof engaged bytlie locking pins [2 and i3 so that the point deter minedfor a splicing cut is positionedat the first plunger means 23. Depression of the operating knob 25' thereupon results in making a diagonal splicing cut S in the tape Tat'thepoi'nt desired. After a second splicing cut S has similarly been accordance with the editing decided upon, the" These adjusting screws remaining ends of the tape portions to be retained are again positioned on the splicing block I l in engagement with locating pins 12 and I3 so that these tape ends are arranged in abutting relation at the second plunger means 2|. A length of splicing tape T is then withdrawn from the dispenser 22 and positioned lightly by hand across the abutting ends of the magnetic tape T to be spliced, and the second plunger means 2| is depressed, whereupon the presser plate 26 is forced downwardly first against the top face of the splicing block II to apply the length of splicing tape T (which at this time is still extending from the dispenser 22) firmly and smoothly to join the abutting tape ends, and after which the cutting punches 29 and trimming blades move downwardly past the yieldable presser plate 26 to reform the register holes R, and trim the splicing tape T' at each side edge of the magnetic tape T (the splicing tape T being cut loose from the dispenser 22 at this time).

It should also be noted that the splicing device may be readily arranged according to the present invention so that all of the tape contacting elements thereof except for the several cutting elements may be formed of non-magnetic material and thereby provide for handling magnetic tapes to the best advantage. Also, it should be noted that the base member is arranged according to the present invention with a stand foot 56 disposed beneath each end of the splicing block H and with a third stand foot 5! disposed centrally adjacent the rear edge thereof so that a sturdy tripod support is provided that allows firm dispostion of the splicing device for operation.

The present invention has been described above for purposes of illustration only and is not intended to be limited by this description or otherwise except as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A splicing device for magnetic tape comprising a base member, a splicing block fixed on said base member, means including locating pins arranged on said splicing block for maintaining magnetic tape at selected positions thereon, a stationary shear blade fitted in said splicing block diagonally thereof at a first selected position for cutting said magnetic tape diagonally between the register holes therein, cutting die apertures formed in said splicing block at a second selected position in correspondence with the register holes of said magnetic tape immediately adjacent each side of a cut made in said magnetic tape at said first position, a first plunger means mounted on said base member to extend above said splicing block at said first position and a second plunger means similarly mounted at said second position, a movable shear blade carried by said first plunger means for cutting action with said stationary blade, and a splicing tape dispenser mounted on said base member in spaced relation between said first and second plunger means; said dispenser having a diagonal disposition for directing the withdrawal of splicing tape therefrom across said splicing block at said second position in spaced parallel alignment with the diagonal cutting disposition of said shear blades at said first position; said second plunger means carrying a presser plate for applying a length of splicing tape from said dispenser to join at said second position abutting ends of magnetic tape cut at said first position, cutting punches arranged in relation to said cutting die apertures for reforming register holes through said length of splicing tape, and trimming blades for trimming said diagonally applied length of splicing tape at each side edge of said magnetic tape; and said splicing block being recessed and fitted with stationary trim blades for cooperation with the trimming blades of said second plunger means.

2. A splicing device as defined in claim 1 and further characterized in that each of said plunger means incorporates a housing, a cylindrical plunger positioned at top and bottom bearing elements for vertical sliding movement in said housing, yieldable means for maintaining said plunger normally at a raised position, and opposed adjusting screws carried by said housing at said bottom bearing element for circularly adjusting and fixing the disposition of said plunger in said housing in relation to said splicing block, said plunger being recessed intermediately of its length to present abutment faces for sliding contact with said adjusting screws.

3. A splicing device as defined in claim 2 and further characterized in that said housing is formed with a lubricant supply chamber, said top bearing element is formed with a lubrication channel communicating with said chamber and opening in the bearing face thereof, and a wick element is disposed to extend from said chamher through said channel.

4. A splicing device as defined in claim 1 and further characterized in that said splicing block is fixed along one side edge of said base member, and said base member is fitted with a stand foot disposed adjacent each end of said splicing block and a third stand foot disposed centrally adjacent the opposite side edge thereof.

5. A splicing device as defined in claim 1 and further characterized in that all of the tapecontacting elements thereof except said shear blades, trimming blades and register hole reforming means, are formed of non-magnetic material.

6. A splicing device as defined in claim 1 and further characterized in that said means for maintaining magnetic tape at selected positions on said splicing block further comprises weighting arms pivoted adjacent each end of said splicing block at a side thereof for movement between a retracted position clear of said block and a weighting position depending against the top face of said block.

7. A splicing device as defined in claim 6 and further characterized in that said splicing block is formed at the ends thereof with grooves of the width of said magnetic tape and in which grooves said magnetic tape is pressed by said arms when in Weighting position.

RALPH M. NICHOLS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,446,576 DeVry Aug. 10, 1948 2,565,009 Wallingsford Aug. 21, 1951 

